Little Wyvis, near Garve

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Little Wyvis is very much in the shadow of its bigger neighbour, and the ascent gives fairly boggy terrain. It does however offer a solitude that Ben Wyvis often lacks.

Terrain

Good path initially, then boggy, rough heather slopes.

Public Transport

None to start. Traveline Scotland.

Start

Ben Wyvis car park, south of Garbat. Map and directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 12km / 7.5 miles
Time: 5 - 5.5 hours
Ascent: 608m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH410671

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Little Wyvis

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the Ben Wyvis car park, which is signed from the A835. From here a path heads north, soon crossing the Allt a' Bhealaich Mhoir via a footbridge. Once across the stream the path soon swings right by a gate and the well trodden route which the north side of the stream through the forest. Aspen, birch and rowan trees alongside the stream enliven the ascent. When a forest track is reached, go straight across to continue on the path.

Stage 2

After about a kilometre the path becomes more open with younger trees. Climb more steeply, still close to the burn. Just over another kilometre uphill, the forest is completely left behind and open ground reached. An Cabar - the southwesternmost top of Ben Wyvis looks impressive on the left side of the glen, whilst Little Wyvis is more featureless on the right.

Stage 3

The most direct route to Little Wyvis is to ford the burn and head up beside the edge of the forestry. Our route, however, saves this for the return (assuming the burn is not too high) and instead heads through the Bealach Mor to gain the summit from the hidden side. Continue on the superbly-made Ben Wyvis path until it swings left towards An Cabar; at this point leave it for a very boggy and faint ATV track and continue up the glen (the Bealach Mor). Tom na Caillich rises steeply on the south side of the glen; continue for around 2km until it is possible to cross the burn and climb round its eastern flank.

Stage 4

Make a rising traverse around the southern flank of Tom na Caillich to reach the bealach between it and Ben Wyvis. The going is rough - this is little-visited country. Once at the peaty bealach, head up the ridge towards Little Wyvis, with traces of a muddy track. Looking back, the views to Ben Wyvis are superb.

Stage 5

After a slight dip the small summit cairn is reached. The views are quite extensive, with Dingwall and Inverness both visible and the Black Isle between, bordered by the Cromarty and Beauly Firths. Looking west, range upon range of mountains recede into the distance, with the reservoirs of Loch Luichart and Loch Glascarnoch well seen.

Stage 6

A track leads SW from the summit, follow it briefly, turning right at each of two junctions to follow a wet track which cuts northeast across the flank of the hill. After around 1km the track meets another at a junction - a small cairn here marks the point to leave the tracks and instead head straight down the heathery, wet hillside towards the southeast corner of the forestry below. There are traces of a path in places and a line of old fence posts. Continue down to reach the burn and ford it to regain the good path of the outward route. Turn left to retrace your steps back to the start.

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